Giving Back: It Starts with Kids

There is nothing more powerful and educational than getting out and seeing the world with your own eyes.  For many of us on a career break it’s the first time that we have gone beyond vacation and really traveled – spending time in locations and cultures beyond the high level ‘passing through.’  We are able to soak up the world around us at a whole new level and pace – forming our own opinions about culture and challenging what we have learned from media outlets.  This is one of the many beauties of career break travel.

In a recent interview with AFAR Magazine online, I talked about the fact that I didn’t really have a travel mentor as I was growing up and coincidentally didn’t have a passport until I was 30 years old.  Luckily, I have learned that it is never too late to start traveling; however, I also do recognize the importance of adding travel to your life at a young age.  Change and understanding in the world will need to start with our youth.

This is why Meet Plan Go! has taken an interest in supporting Learning AFAR – a youth based program run by the AFAR Foundation (the philanthropic arm of  AFAR Magazine).  Learning AFAR grants international travel scholarships to students who would not otherwise be able to explore the world.

Learning?AFAR is designed to promote cross cultural exchange by sponsoring international travel for students who cannot otherwise afford to experience another part of the world. In partnership with Global Explorers and with support from the Pearson Foundation, Schlumberger and Wimmer Solutions, Learning AFAR integrates science, service, leadership, literacy and culture in a 3-phase program that includes pre-travel curriculum, a life-changing travel experience, and a follow-up service leadership project.

As students prepare for the journey of lifetime, they learn journalism skills from AFAR Magazine staff members, so they may document their travels through writing, photography, and videography. Through their Pearson’s We Give Books, Learning AFAR students engage younger students in the learning process and collect books to create libraries in the communities they will visit on expedition. Learning AFAR prepares young people to act on the passions they discover and equips them to share their passion with their home community.

To celebrate the season of giving this week, for the second year Meet Plan Go! has decided to work with the AFAR Foundation by donating a portion of our ticket sales from our October event to the foundation in San Francisco.  This year our San Francisco host Kristin Kent organized the fundraising and happily delivered a check for $1,000 to the AFAR’s Co-Founder Greg Sullivan.

 

We hope you have a special Thanksgiving holiday wherever you are traveling in the world this week.  Give thanks for the ability to travel – it’s a privilege – one you worked hard to make happen, but not one that everyone gets.

See what the some of the Learning AFAR students did on their big trip to Costa Rica:

If you are interested in learning more about Learning AFAR or making a donation, please check out the following:

AFAR Foundation on Facebook

AFAR Foundation Website

Make a Donation



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